Tilting mechanism for foundry ladles and the like



Jan. 15, 1952 A. D. OLDHAM ETAL 2, ,9 2.

TILTING MECHANISM FOR FOUNDRY .LADLES AND THE LIKE Filed June 8, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 15, 1952 A.D. OLDHAM ET AL 2,582,912

TILTING MECHANISM FOR FOUNDRY LADLES AND THE LIKE Filed June 8, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 15, 1952 A. D. OLDHAM ET AL 2,582,912

TILTING MECHANISM FOR FOUNDRY LADLES AND THE LIKE Filed June a, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. D. OLDHAM ET AL Jan. 15, 1952 TILTING MEC HANISM FOR FOUNDRY LADLES AND THE LIKE Filed June 8, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 15, 1952 TILTING MECHANISM FOR FOUNDRY LADLES AND THE LIKE Anthus D. Oldham, Harvey, and Frank J. Sabla,

South Holland, 111., assignors to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 11]., a. corporation of Illinois Application June 8, 1945, SerialNo. 598,338

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to 'ladles. More particularly the invention relates to that type of ladle which is primarily designed for use in a foundry, serves as a medium or instrumental'ity for introducing molten metal into 'fiasks and a its principal parts or components comprises: (l) a bail which is adapted tobe attached to the hook of an overhead crane in order that the ladle may be moved or shifted back and forth between the source of molten metal and the fiasksto befilled; (2) a pot which functions as a container for the molten metal, has a lining of refractory material, and is provided with outwardly extending trunnions on diametri- "cally 'opposite portions of its side wall whereby it is pivotally connected to the lower ends of the legs of the bail so that it is capable of tilting back and forth between an upstanding charging position and anangularly disposed pouring or discharging position; and (3) pot'tilting gearing'which is mounted or disposed within a housing on one leg of the bail, has a hand wheel or other means associated with it for actuating purposes, and is operatively connected'to the adjacent pot trunnion.

In connection with use of a foundry ladle of this type it is necessary periodically 'to reline the pot. 'Relining of the pot with refractorymaterial entails heating of the lining for curing purposes and results in the ladle as a whole being out of use for a considerable period of time. In practice it hasbeen found that heating ofthe new lining of refractory material while the pot tilting gearing is mounted in-place on'thebail is detrimental and in certain instances quite .3

injurious to the gearing and the lubricant for the gearing.

One object of the invention is to provide a foundry ladle of the'type under consideration which is an improvement upon, has certain advantages over, previously designed foundry ladies and is characterized by the fact thatthe housed gearing for tilting'the pot is'capable of being quickly and readily detached from thebail. As a result of the'fact that the pot tilting gearing is detachably mounted with'respect'to the bail it maybe removed during a pot relining op-' eration so that it together with its lubricant'is not subjected to deleterious heatand it is possible to use the gearing in connection with another ladle, the pot of which has already been relined.

Another'object of the invention is to provide afoundry ladle of the last mentioned type and character in which the housing and gearing constituting the unit for tilting the pot with respect 2 to the bail are so designed and constructed that the unit not only is capable of being detached from the bail with facility but also is sealed against loss of the gearing lubricant when'it is removed from the bail.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foundry ladle of the aforementioned type in which the gearing is so designed and arranged that it occupies but a small space and hence it is possible so to;reduce the'size of *the housing that the pottilting unit as a whole occupies a minimum amount of space.

Another object of the-invention is to provide a foundry ladle of'the type'and character ,last mentioned in which the housing of thepot tilting unit has a removable cover plate on its outer side and certain parts of the gearing are mounted on the cover plate to-the end that they are readily accessible for inspection, repair or replacement purposes upon removal .of the cover plate.

A-further object of'the invention is to provide a foundry ladleof thetype under consideration in which the housing of the'pot' tilting unit embodies on the top portion thereof a bifurcated bracket which is in straddled relation with the adjacent legof the bail and-serves as a torque arm for preventing rotative displacement of the housingrelatively'to the bail.

A still further object -of the invention is to provide a "foundryladle which is generally of new and improved construction and'is characterized by the fact that it is highly efiicient and extremely durable.

Other objects of the-invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present foundry ladle-will be apparent-from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in'the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and-are more particularly defined by claims at'the conclusion hereof.

Inthe drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure'and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the-severalviews:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a foundry ladle embodying the invention;

Figure'VZ is a plan view illustrating in detail the arrangement and design-of the bracket which is mounted on the top portion of the'housing for the gearing and serves to hold-the pottilting unit against tilting-or angular displacement with respect to the'bail; I

Figure 3 is an-enlarge'd front elevatlon'ofthe tilting the pot with respect to the bail back and forth between its upstanding charging position and its angularly disposed pouring or discharging position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the pot tilting unit, one of the parts thereof being shown in a fragmentary manner for purposes of illustration;

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 and illustrating in detail the construction, design and manner of mounting of the sleeve which serves operatively to connect the gearing to the adjacent pot trunnion and forms a seal for preventing leakage of the gearing lubricant from the housing when the pot tilting unit is removed from the bail; and

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 6-3 of Figure 3 and showing in detail the arrangement and manner of mounting the gearing;

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line I'I of Figure 4 and illustrating the construction and arrangement of the automatic means for feeding the lubricant in the housing onto the gearing and hearings in response to drive or operation of the gearing;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pot tilting unit;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the unit, the removable cover plate being shown in separated relation with respect to the housing proper; and

Figure 9a is a perspective of certain parts of the automatic lubricant feeding means.

The ladle which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed or adapted for use in a foundry and serves to introduce molten metal into flasks. As its main or principal components the ladle comprises a bail I0, a pot II and a detachable pot tilting unit I2.

The bail I consists of an inverted V-shaped cross member l3 and a pair of depending legs I4 and I at the ends of the cross member. It is in the form of a rigid unit and is adapted to be attached to the hook of an overhead crane in order that the ladle may be moved or shifted by the crane back and forth between the source of molten metal and the flasks to be filled. The lower end of the leg I4 of the bail is provided with a fixed bearing I6, and the lower end of the other leg of the bail, i. e., the leg I5, is provided with a fixed bearing I'I.

The pot I I serves as a container for the molten metal and is disposed between the depending legs of the bail as shown in Figure 1; It has a lining of refractory material and embodies outwardly extending trunnions I8 and I9 on diametrically opposite portions of its side wall. The trunnion I8 is journalled in the bearing I6 on the lower end of the bail leg I4 and the trunnion I9 is of materially greater length than the trunnion I8 and extends through and is journalled in the bearing IT on the lower end of the bail leg I5. The two trunnions permit the pot II to be tilted back and forth between an upstanding charging position and an angularly disposed pouring or discharging position as well understood in the art. The front portion of the upper margin of the pot is provided with a spout for guiding the molten metal when the pot is tilted into its discharging position in connection with a pouring operation.

The pot tilting unit I2 is located outwards of the leg I5 of the bail and comprises a housing 2I and gearing 22. As hereinafter described more in detail the various parts of the gearing 22 are disposed and mounted within the housing 2|.

The housing 2I is preferably formed of cast metal and comprises a top wall 23, a front wall 24, a back wall 25, a bottom wall 26 and an inner side wall 21. Such walls are preferably formed integrally with one another and together with a main cover plate 28 define a compartment 29 for the various parts of the gearing 22. The compartment is adapted to be partially filled with oil or any other suitable lubricant in order to effect lubrication of the gearing. In addition to the walls 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 the housing comprises a continuous fiange 30. This flange is formed integrally with, and projects outwards from, the outer side margins of the top, bottom, back and bottom walls of the housing. The main cover plate 28 is shaped conformably to. and fits flatly against, the flange 30 and is removably secured in place by means of cap screws 3|. The shanks of the latter extend through aligned screw threaded holes in the cover plate 28 and the flange 30. The top wall 23 of the housing is provided at one end thereof with an opening 23 through which the parts within the casing may be inspected. The inner side wall 21 and the main cover plate 28 are positioned in parallel relation and have in the lower portions thereof aligned circular holes 32 through which the outer end of the pot trunnion I9 extends. The holes 32 are the same in diameter but are, however, of materially greater diameter than said trunnion. When the pot tilting unit I2 is in connected or operative relation with the bail the housing 2I is held against tilting or rotative movement with respect to the bail by means of a bracket 33. The latter is bolted or otherwise removably secured to the portions of the top Wall that defines the inspection opening 23. It serves when in place to close said opening and embodies a laterally extending bifurcated extension 34 which is shaped to straddle the upper end or portion of the leg I5 of the bail. The outer ends of the bifurcations of the extension 34 are provided with aligned holes 35 for a bolt 36. This bolt serves releasably to hold the bifurcated extension 34 in connected relation with the upper end of the bail leg I5. When the bolt 36 is removed from the holes 35 the housing 2I and the gearing 22 constituting the pot tilting unit I2 may be shifted laterally away from the bail. The central portions of the bifurcations of the extensions 34 are provided with set screws 31 and these are adapted to engage the sides of the bail leg I5 and serve angularly to adjust the housing 2| with respect to the bail. When it is desired to remove the pot tilting unit the set screws 31 are first'loosened. Thereafter the bolt 36 is withdrawn from the holes 35 so as to free the bifurcated extension of the bracket 33 from the upper end of the bail leg I5 and thus permit the unit to be shifted laterally away from the bail. When it is desired to mount the unit I2 with respect to the bail the housing 2I is manipulated so as to align the holes 32 in the inner side wall 21 and the cover plate 28 of the housing with the trunnion I9 and at the same time align the bifurcated extension 32 with the upper end of the bail leg I5. Thereafter the unit is shifted laterally towards the bail in order to cause the outer end of the trunnion I9 to enter the housing via the innermost hole 32 and the upper end of the bail leg I5 to be disposed within the bifurcated extension 34 of the bracket 33. After shift of the unit into place the bolt 36 is inserted through the holes 35 and the set screws 31 :are tightened. The bifurcationsof theextensions 34' are spaced-apart a-suflicient distance to accommodate bail legs'which vary in "width withina 1 given range, andthe a set screws serve fixedly to connectthe: extensionsto the adjacent bail legxwhen the unit is in its operative position.

The gearing 22 has associated with it ahand wheel 38 for'actuating purposes nd comprises a. pair-of bevel gears 39-and'40, a worm 4|, aworm gear 42-and a sleeve 43. disposed outwards of, and in parallel relation with the main coverpalte 28 and has the-hub thereof fixedly connected to the outer end-of -a horizontal shaft 44 which extends'at right angles to the housing 2|. The centralportion'of the shaft-44 is journalled in antifriction bearings 45 within a tubular member :46 and the inner end of the" shaft extendsthrough ahole 28 in the main cover; plate 28' of the housing. The inner end'of the tubular member' ii has an outwardly extending V flange 41'' which fits flatly against the outer face of the portion of the maincover. plate 28 that defines the hole 28*, and is removably secured to the main cover'plate by cap screws 48. The bevel. gear 39 is keyed or otherwise fixedly connected to the inner end of the shaft and is disposed in the upperlportion of the compartment 29 and adjacent'the upper portion "of the main cover plate 28. When thecover plate is removed from the housing 2| 'byreleasing or withdrawing the cap's'c'rews 3 l, the assembly consisting or the hand wheel 38, the shaft 44, the bearings'45, the tubular member' it and the bevel gear 39 is likewiseremoved from the housing. The bevel gear 40 meshes with and is driven by the bevel gear39 and is' fixedly connected to one end of "a shaft 49. Such shaft-extends lengthwise acrossthe upper portion of the compartment 29 and has its ends journalled in'a pair of antifriction bearings ill which are disposed within, and connected to, a'pair of cupshaped caps 5|. As best shown-in Figure 6, the"capsfextend through aligned circular holes- 52in the front and rear walls 24 and 25 ofthe housing and are removably secured in place by cap'screws 53 l which extend through holes in outwardly extending flanges 5! on the caps and into screw threaded sockets in the portions of the'front and rear walls that define the'holes 52. The bearings and'the caps 5| serve when in place'to hold r The hand wheel 381s is so compact that it is possible toma ke the housing 2| extremelysmall totheend that the pot tilting unit 12 occupies but'a small-amountof space. The worm 4| is formed integrally with the shaft'49 and meshes'with,'and serves'to drive, the worm gear 42. The latter is disposed in the lower portion of the compartment 29, as-shown in Figure 6, extends-around the central portion of the "sleeve 43, and is fixedly secured to the sleeve by way of a key 54 which fits within akeyway 55 in the hub of the Worm gear and a keyway 56in the 'central-portion'of the: sleeve 43. The sleeve is disposed beneath, extends atright angles to, the shaft 49 and has its ends journalled in-"a; pair of flanged bearings- 51. Theelatter fit within the'holes32 in'the lower portions of'the inner side wall 21 and the main cover'plate- 28 of the .housing: and are arranged so that the 6 flanges thereof are "disposed interiorly of the compartment 29. The bearing lfianges iiabut against theends of the hub of: the worm' gear-'42, as shown; in' Figure 6,:and' serve to hold theassembly of worm; gearand sleeve against "axial displacement with respect to'the housing :2l. Theinner periphery of the sleeve '43 is shaped slidablyw to receive the outer end of the pot trunnion I9 and has a-longitudinal'key-way 58 for a key-59. The latter fitswithin a longitudinal keyway fifl in the outer'end' of the pot trunnion l9 and serves to 'conne'ct-thetrunnion for drive by the sleeve when the pot tilting unit, I2 is in 'its operative position, i. l e., is in connected relation with the bail ll) of: the ladle. The end or the-key 59 that is" nearer the leg [5 ofthe ladle-bail Hl' is provided with an" enlarged outwardly and laterall'y iextending head 59 which fits withina notch 43 in the adjacent endof the sleeve 43'and is' of such length that itserves to prevent the-housing Zl from being positioned too close to the bailleg l5. IA plate-like retainer member 6| together with a plurality of cap screws BZserves releasably-toprevent outward movement of the pot tilting unit lZ'with respect to the trunnion).

This retainer member is disposed adjacentthe outer end of the sleeve 43, i. e., the end of'the sleeve that is directly opposite the main 'cover plate 28 of the housing 2| and has-holes liii in its central portion for the shanks of the cap screws 62. 'The margin of the retainer member'tl embodies a plurality of equidistantly spaced outwardly extending lugs 54 and these fit -within notches in the adjacent end of the sleeve 43. The inner ends of the shanks of the cap screwstZ fit within screw threaded sockets 66 in the'outer end'of the 'pot trunnion19. Whenthe'retainer member 6| is connected to-the trunnion I 9 by way of the cap screwed 62 it preventsthe sleeve from being displaced axially outwards with respect-to the trunnion. The outer end df'the hole in the lower portion of the main'cover plate 28*is normally closed or'covered' by a plate' 61 which is removably secured in place bycap screWs'68. The shanks of the screws '68 etxend through registering screw threaded holes in the marginal portion of the plate 61' and the hole defining'portion or the main cover plate 28. 'When" it is desired" to remove the plate '61 in order to provide access to the retainer member'fil it isonly necessary to remove the'cap screws 68. When the unit i2 is in attached or connected relation with the bail [G of the ladle" turning of the hand *wheel38 causes the gearing 22 so to revolveas to cause tilting of the pot ll in 'one direction. Reverse turning or rotation of the hand wheel-38 efiects reverse drive of the gearing and thus causes the pot to tilt in the opposite direction. 'In view of the fact that the gearing 22 includes the worm 4| and the worm gear-42 the gearing is irreversible and hence the'pot can be tilted only byturning the hand wheel.

In'addition to the-parts heretofore described the pot tilting unit !2 comprisesautomatic' means for feeding the lubricant from the bottom portionof the compartment 29 onto the gearing-22in response to drive of the gearing byrotation of the hand-wheel 88. Such automaticlubr-icant feeding means embodies a pump 69 whichis; located in the lower portion of the compartmentand is disposed beneathithe end of theishaft': 43 that carries the bevel gear-40. The pump-is of the reciprocating plunger type and"comprisesa vertically extendingcylindricalca'sing 10- and a vertically J slidable plunger not shown) -in T the casing 10. The pump casing 10 embodies in the lower end thereof a check valve equipped inlet port (not shown) and has a check valve equipped outlet port (also not shown) in its upper end. A C-shaped bracket 1| serves to connect the pump casing "Ill to the inner face of the removable cover plate 28. This bracket has the lower leg thereof suitably connected to the upper end of the pump casing. The central or intermediate part of the bracket is fiat and fits against the inner face of the cover plate 28. Two cap screws 12 extend through holes in the cover plate into screw threaded sockets in the central part of the bracket and serve removably to secure the bracket to the cover plate. The pump plunger is provided with an upwardly extending stem 13 and this extends through, and is slidably mounted in, a pair of vertically aligned holes 74 in the upper and lower legs of the C-shaped bracket H, and has a reduced central portion 15. A coil variety compression spring 16 surrounds the upper end of the stem 13 of the plunger, is interposed between the upper leg of the C-shaped bracket H and a collar 11 on the stem, and serves to urge the pump plunger downwards. One end of a lubricant feed pipe 18 is connected to the check valve equipped outlet port of the pump casing 10 and the other end of the pipe is arranged in overhanging relation with the bevel gear 48 and the worm 4| and has downwardly facing orifices for jetting lubricant onto said bevel gear and worm. When the plunger of the pump 69 is reciprocated lubricant is drawn into the pump casing HI via the aforementioned check valve equipped inlet port and is forced under pressure into the feed pipe 18 via the check valve equipped outlet port in the upper end of the pump casing. The pumped lubricant, after flowing through the pipe, is jetted in stream form downwards onto the bevel gear 48 and the worm 4| in order to lubricate the latter. The pipe 18 is clamped against the inner face of the main cover plate 28 by bolt equipped clips 19. By reason of the fact that the pump 69 and the feed pipe 18 are attached to the cover plate 28 they are removable with the cover plate when the latter is disconnected or released from the housing 2| of the pot tilting unit |2. The plunger of the pump is reciprocated in response to drive of the gearing 22 by means of a star wheel 88 and a bell crank 8|. The star wheel 88 is mounted on the shaft 49 and is formed integrally with the outer end of the hub of the bevel gear 40. The bell crank BI is located in the compartment 29 adjacent the back wall 25 of the housing 2| and comprises a substantially vertical arm 82 and a substantially horizontal arm 83 at the lower end of the arm 82. It is pivotally connected to the housing back wall 25 by way of a pivot bolt 84 which extends through the connected ends of the arms 82 and 83 and fits within a screw threaded socket in the housing back wall 25. The upper end of the substantially vertical arm 82 of the bell crank is provided with a roller 85 which is arranged successively to engage the teeth of the star wheel 80. The outer or distal end of the horizontal arm 83 of the bell crank 82 is provided with a fork 86. This is arranged in straddled relation with the reduced central portion l5 of the stem 13 of the pump plunger. When the star wheel 80 is rotated in response to drive of the gearing 22 by turning of the hand wheel 38 it operates to rock the bell crank 8| back and forth and the bell crank, in turn, effects recipropression spring 16 is indirectly applied to the bell crank in such manner that it operates to hold the roller in contacting relation with the star wheel 80. The fork 86 on the outer or distal end of the bell crank arm 82 permits the pump 69 to become disconnected from the bell crank when the main cover plate 28 is removed from the housin 2|.

It is contemplated that the pot tilting unit I2 will be detached from the bail III in connection with relining of the pot ll. When it is desired to detach the unit the plate 61 is first removed by releasing or withdrawing the cap screws 68. Afterremoval of the plate 61 the cap screws 62 are removed so as to free the plate-like retainer member 6| from the pot trunnion l9. After freeing of the member 6| the bolt 36 is removed from the bifurcated extension 34 on the bracket 33 and the set screws 31 are loosened. Thereafter the entire unit is shifted laterally away from the bail Hi. When the unit |2 is disconnected from the bail it may be used to form part of another ladle, the pot of which has a new or usable lining of refractory material. When it is desired again to attach the unit l2 to the bail H] the housing 2i for the gearin 22 is manipulated so as to bring the sleeve 43 into alignment with the trunnion H) and the bifurcated, extension 34 into alignment with the upper end of the bail leg I5. Thereafter the unit is shifted laterally towards the bail until the outer end of the trunnion I9 is disposed fully within the sleeve and is connected to the latter by way of the key 59. After shifting of the unit the bolt 36 is inserted through the holes 35 and the plate-type retainer member 6| is applied to the outer end of the trunnion by the cap screws 62. After tightening of the cap screws 62 the plate 6! is connected in place by the cap screws 68. By reason of the fact that the sleeve 43 has its ends journalled in the flanged bushings 51 the housing 2| is sealed against loss of lubricant when the unit is in its detached position. In the event it is necessary to inspect, repair or replace the gearing 22 or the pump 69 the main cover plate 28 is removed from the housing 2| by withdrawing the cap screws 3|- The herein described foundry ladle effectively and efliciently fulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by durability and simplicity of design and construction. It is further characterized by the fact that the pot tilting unit I2 is capable of being quickly and readily detached from the bail, and the sleeve 43 constituting part of the gearing serves to seal the housing against loss of lubricant when the unit is disconnected from the bail.

Whereas the tiltin unit or mechanism has been described as being adapted primarily for use in connection with a foundry ladle it is to be understood that it has other capabilities of use. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what we.

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A detachable unit designed for use in tilting a foundryladle of the type that comprises a ball with a dependingbearing equipped leg and a tiltable pot with a trunnion journalled in the bearing and having the outer end thereof projecting beyond the bearing, said unit being adapted when in use to be positioned outwards of the bearing equipped leg of the bail,. and

embodying a housing provided with means for detachably connecting it to the bail, having a circular over-sized hole in the inner side wall thereof for reception of the projecting outer end of the trunnion, provided with a bearing in the hole and an internally disposed bearing in axial alignment and spaced relation with the last mentioned bearing, and adapted to retain lubricant, and gearing mounted in the housing and including a rotatable sleeve-like element having the ends thereof journalled in the last two mentioned bearings and its interior out of communication with the housing interior and shaped slidably to receive said projecting outer end of the trunnion, adapted in connection with attachment of the housing to the bail to slide onto the projecting outer end of the trunnion and in connection with detachment of the housing from said bail to slide out of engagement with said projecting outer end of the trunnion, provided with a releasable trunnion driving connection in the form of a plate type member having a bolt for connecting it to the outer end of the trunnion and interlocking means between it and one end of the sleeve, and adapted to seal the housing against leakage of the lubricant through the hole when the housing is detached from the bail.

2. A detachable unit designed for use in tilting a foundry ladle of the type that comprises a. bail with.a depending bearing equipped leg and a tiltable pot with a trunnion journaled in the bearing and havin its outer end projecting beyond the bearing, said unit when in use being adapted to be positioned adjacent the bearing equipped leg of the bail, and embodying a housing having means for detachably connecting it to the bail, provided with an oversized hole in one of the walls thereof for reception of the projecting outer end of the trunnion, and adapted to retain a lubricant, and gearing mounted in the housing and including a rotatable sleeve fitting within said hole, having the interior thereof out of communication with the interior of the housing, and shaped slidably to receive said pro ecting outer end of the trunnion, adapted in connection with attachment of the housing to the bail to slide onto the projecting outer end of the trunnion and in connection with detachment of the housing from said bail to slide out of engagement with said projecting outer end of the trunnion, provided with a releasable trunnion driving connection in the form of a plate type member having a bolt for connecting it to the outer end of the trunnion and interlocking means between it and the one end of the sleeve, and adapted to seal the housing against leakage of the lubricant through the hole when the housing is detached from the bail.

3. A detachable unit designed for use in tilting a foundry ladle of the type that comprises a bail with a depending bearing equipped leg and a tiltable pot with a trunnion journaled in the bearing and having its outer end projecting beyond the bearing. said unit being adapted when in use to be positioned outwards of the bearing equipped leg of the bail, and embodying a housing provided with means for detachably connecting it to the bail, having inner and outer side walls with aligned bearing equipped holes therein, and adapted to retain a lubricant, and gearing mounted in the housing and including a rotatable sleeve having the ends thereof journaled in the bearing equipped holes and its interior out of communication with the housing interior and shaped slidably to receive the projecting end of the trunnion, adapted in connection with attachment of the housin to the bail to slide onto the projecting outer end of the trunnion and in connection with detach ment of the housing from said bail to slide out of engagement with said projecting outer end of the trunnion, provided with a releasable trunnion driving connection in the form of a plate type member having a bolt for connecting it to the outer end of the trunnion and inter--, locking means between it and one end of the sleeve, and adapted to seal the housing against leakage of the lubricant through the bearing equipped holes when the housing is detached from the bail.

4. A detachable unit designed for use in tilting a foundry ladle of the type that comprises a bail with a depending bearing equipped leg and a tiltable pot with a trunnion journaled in the bearing and having its outer end projecting beyond the bearing, said un'it being adapted when in use to be positioned outwards of the bearing equipped leg of the bail, and embodying a housing provided with means for detachably connecting it to the bail, having a fixed inner side wall and a removable cover plate in laterally spaced relation with the inner side wall, provided with aligned bearing equipped holes in said inner side wall and cover plate, and adapted to retain a lubricant, gearing mounted in the housing and including a rotatable sleeve having the ends thereof journaled in the bearing equipped holes and the interior out of communication with the interior of the housing and shaped slidabl to receive the projecting outer end of the trunnion, adapted in connection with attachment of the housing to the bail to slide onto the projecting outer end of the trunnion and in connection with detachment of the housing from said bail to slide out of engagement with said projecting end of the trunnion, provided with a releasable trunnion driving connection accessible via the bearing equipped hole in the cover plate and in the form of a plate-type member having a bolt for connecting it to the outer end of the trunnion and interlocking means between it and the adjacent end of the sleeve, and adapted to seal the housing against leakage of the lubricant through the bearing equipped holes when the housing is detached from the bail, and a plate extending across the bearing equipped hole in the cover plate and connected removably to said cover plate.

ANT-HUS D. OLDHAM. FRANK J. SABLA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,380,162 Spielman May 31, 1921 1,550,004 Townsend Aug. 18, 1925 1,661,988 Ayres Mar. 6, 1928 1,849,182 Frey Mar. 15, 1932 2,094,736 Coffey Oct. 5, 1937 2,101,679 Hull Dec. 7, 1937 2,248,706 Hindahl July 8, 1941 2,317,070 Tourneau Apr. 20, 1943 

